A comparative study of the effect of addition of CeOx and Li2O on γ-Al2O3 supported copper, silver and gold catalysts in the preferential oxidation of CO

Abstract

In the study described in this paper we deposited gold, silver and copper on γ-Al2O3 as nanoparticles (<4 nm) and investigated the behavior of these nanoparticles in the preferential oxidation of CO in presence of H2. In addition, the effect of addition of CeOx and/or Li2O was investigated. All the three metals show preferential oxidation of CO at low temperatures. The oxides added to Au/γ-Al2O3, Ag/γ-Al2O3 and Cu/γ-Al2O3 improve the catalytic performance of the gold, silver and copper. Interesting and synergistic effects were observed when both the CeOx and Li2O were added. Possible mechanisms are proposed. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.